Hattie M. Spieker, 1920-2008

November 12, 2008

Hattie M. Spieker, 88, of Britt, died on Saturday, November 1, 2008, at her home.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, at the United Methodist Church in Britt, with the Rev. Robert Dodge officiating. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Hattie Marie Spieker, the daughter of Herman and Henrietta (Janssen) Daniels, was born on April 23, 1920 at Iowa City, Iowa. She attended country school near Crystal Lake. On November 19, 1939, she was married to Leon Schreiber. They farmed near Hayfield for a time before moving to Humboldt. Leon passed away on August 31, 1947. On September 15, 1948, she was married to Lawrence Spieker. They farmed near Hayfield until retiring in 1973 and moving into Britt.

Hattie cleaned homes in the Britt area and also took care of children in her home for many years. She enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren, quilting and collecting dolls. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Britt.

Hattie is survived by her four children, Dennis (Jodi) Spieker of Hayfield, Ronald (Susan) Spieker of Forest City, Jean (Jim) Purvis of Britt and Larry (Connie) Spieker of Forest City; 14 grandchildren and their families, Jilane (Chad) Mitchell and children, Jacob, Chadwick and Tehya, Jason (Shannon) Spieker and children, Sara and Buck Weaver, Stacy (Troy) Wirtz and children, Mason, Alexis, Lauren and Reagan, Rebecca (David) Schmelzer and children, Josh and Leo, Derrick (Katie) Spieker and children, Dalton and Mackenzie Pigman and Landon Spieker, Kari (Karl) Wooldridge and children, Kyle and Jada, Hollie Richey (fiancée, Don Dallman) and children, Patrick and Brock, Brandi (Ryan) Hiscocks and children, Riley, Parker and Brinley, Rachael (Jacob) Zuehl and children, Kane and Kale, Bobbi (Andy) Bruggeman and children, Maddie and Charlie, Jeremy Purvis (fiancée, Cody Kraft), Jill Purvis, Nicholas Spieker and Ashley Steffen; a brother, Richard (Gladys) Daniels of Houston, Texas; sisters-in-law, Rosella Daniels of Britt and Mae Schreiber; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Leon Schreiber on August 31, 1947 and Lawrence Spieker on October 11, 1975; two great-grandchildren, Piper and Kevin Schmelzer; and brothers, Lawrence, Clarence and Lester Daniels.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Doris C. Olson, 1927-2008

November 12, 2008

Doris C. Olson, 81, of Garner, died on Monday, November 3, 2008, at the Good Shepherd Health Care Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner, with the Rev. Frank Beaty officiating. Burial was in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner.

Doris Charlene Olson, the daughter of Charles and Rose (Goll) Haes, was born on March 13, 1927, on a farm west of Garner. She attended the rural schools of Garfield Township and graduated from the Garner High School. After high school, she worked as an operator for AT&T in Garner.

In 1947, she was married to Duane Olson at her parent's home in Garner. To this union two children were born, Bonnie and Kenneth. They made their home in Garner for a time before moving to Manly. Doris enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She was a member of Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner.

Doris is survived by her daughter, Bonnie (Rex) Livingston of Webster City; three grandsons, John (Krissy) Livingston of Walton, Kentucky, Jason Livingston of Florence, Kentucky and Jay (fiancée, Jessica) Livingston of Waukee; three great-grandchildren, John Patrick, Dora and Anella Livingston; two sisters, Pearl Barkema of Garner and Ruth Trampel of Klemme; a brother, Dale (Arlene) Haes of Hobbs, New Mexico; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Kenneth in 1974; and brothers-in-law, Orval Barkema and Clarence Trampel.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Bonnie L. Lee, 1944-2008

November 19, 2008

Bonnie L. Lee, 64, of Davenport, died on Saturday, November 8, 2008, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice–Genesis VNA in Bettendorf.

Funeral services to celebrate Bonnie’s life, were held on Wednesday, November 12, at the Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport. Burial was in the Oakdale Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials may be made to the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House–Genesis VNA.

Bonnie was born in 1944 in Garner, Iowa, a daughter of John and Irma Haaf. On August 18, 1962, she was united in marriage to Richard C. Lee. Mr. Lee preceded her in death on September 23, 1977.

Bonnie enjoyed doing arts and crafts, and above all enjoyed spending time with her family.

Survivors include her four children, Ronald D. (Diane) Lee of Long Grove, Iowa, and their children, Adam and Rachel; Steven R. (Julie) Lee of Summerville, South Carolina; Rebecca (Brian) Downs of Summerville, South Carolina and their children, Jaime and Kyle; and Jana (Keith) Foran of Davenport and their children, Keshia and Travis; a great-granddaughter, Selena Foran; four siblings including twins, Philip (Sonny) Haaf of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Phyllis Kern of Clear Lake, Iowa, Wanda Worley of Cedar Rapids and Mark Haaf of Clear Lake; several nieces and nephews; and her special friend, her cat Roscoe.

In addition to her husband; Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Juanita Straaka.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Genesis Oncology Staff, Genesis West Medical Floor Staff, Dr. Sy and his staff, Genesis VNA, especially Dawn Verscheure and Heather Wilson.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Marlin Stadtlander, 1941-2008

November 19, 2008

Marlin Rae Stadtlander, age 67, of Garner, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2008, at the Concord Care Center in Garner, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 17, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Garner, with Rev. David Wagner officiating. Burial was in the Meservey Cemetery. The Dugger Funeral Home of Belmond was in charge of the arrangements.

Marlin Rae and his twin sister, Mardell Mae, were born on May 27, 1941, at the Belmond Hospital, the children of Dick and Rena Boelman Stadtlander of rural Belmond. Marlin attended and graduated from the Klemme High School in 1959. He helped area farmers and his father and brother with farm work and raised and sold rabbits.

On April 28, 1961, he married Sharyl Lynn Stille at Goodell. Marlin drove a milk truck and was a custodian at the Garner-Hayfield High School. He was a hard, faithful worker, he worked at Iowa Mold Tooling for 33 years. He was a member of the Garner United Methodist Church where he was custodian for 41 years.

Those left to cherish Marlin’s memory include his wife, Sharyl; sons, Ross (Angela) of Garner and Blake (Linda) of Sioux City; five grandchildren, Austin Stadtlander, Brittney Stadtlander, Drake Stadtlander, Payton Stadtlander and Kasay Stadtlander; twin sister, Mardell (Eugene) Jorgensen of Hampton; brother, Luvern Stadtlander of Hampton; and many other aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces. They will all miss Marlin, who was such a part of their lives.

Marlin was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Edward Stadtlander; nephew, Dennis Stadtlander; sister-in-law, Delores Stadtlander; niece, Sherry Stadtlander; and a great-nephew.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Allen D. Adreon, 1931-2008

November 26, 2008

Allen D. Adreon, age 77, of Marengo, died on Sunday, November 16, 2008, at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, from complications of renal failure.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, November 19, at the Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, with the Rev. Katie Dawson officiating. Burial was in the Marengo Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Marengo American Legion Post #76. The Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, was in charge of the arrangements.

Allen Delane Adreon, was born on June 8, 1931 in Corwith, the son of Thomas Franklin “Frank” Adreon and Pearl Gouge Adreon. He graduated from the Corwith High School in 1949 and served in the U.S. Marines in the 1950’s. Allen married Ethel E. “Beth” Myers on April 16, 1951 in Iowa City.

Allen was a very talented baseball player. He was prepping for major league baseball when a shoulder injury ended his career. He became very active in community baseball and coached many little league teams over the years. Allen was employed as a painter at Amana Refrigeration for 39 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post #76 and the Marengo Golf Club.

He is survived by a brother, Dayton Adreon of Britt; a sister, Rena Freiberg of Garner; a special friend, Carol Hilton of Marengo; and many nieces, nephews and friends, including Jerry, Linda, Mike, Pam, Mitch and Mary Goad, Hap and Marge Sherman and John Danker.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beth on May 13, 2000; three sisters, Erma Garman, Lurlia Fisher and Roseland Claude; and three brothers, Leon, Phillip and Glen Adreon.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Alvin E. Meyer, 1931-2008

December 3, 2008

Alvin E. Meyer, Jr., 77, of Ventura, died on Thursday, November 20, 2008, at the Concord Care Center, Garner.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday November 25, at the Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ventura, with the Rev. Daird Korth officiating. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Alvin E. Meyer, Jr., was born on October 1, 1931 in Garner, the son of Alvin Sr. and Arlis (Geisler) Meyer. Alvin graduated from the Ventura High School. He enlisted into the United States Air Force at Ft. Hood, Texas. Alvin was united in marriage to Frances Muhlenbruch on June 12, 1960 and to this union three children were born.

Alvin farmed in the Ventura area all of his life. He was a great influence to his sons in agriculture helping them get started in farming. After retiring Alvin and Frances moved into town in Ventura.

Alvin enjoyed restoring tractors, tinkering with Volkswagens, woodworking and watching Westerns. He really loved spending time with his family and socializing with friends at the Ventura Elevator. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ventura, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and was a 4-H Leader.

Alvin is survived by his wife, Frances Meyer of Hampton; children, Cindy Dvorak of Ventura, Jeff Meyer of Garner and Rick (Michelle) Meyer of Iowa Falls; grandchildren, Laura and Jenny Dvorak of Ventura, Josh, Ben and Kayla Meyer of Iowa Falls; siblings, Mari (Carroll) Albers of Garner, Jim (Mary Jo) Meyer of Clear Lake, Boni Pringnitz of Garner and Bob (Jan) Meyer of Mason City; along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Phillip Dvorak; and brother-in-law, Virgil Pringnitz.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Kathleen A. Greimann, 1953-2008

December 3, 2008

Kathleen A. Greimann, 54, of Prinsburg, Minnesota and formerly of Klemme, died on Saturday, November 22, 2008, at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, Minnesota.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, at the Peace Reformed Church south of Garner, with the Rev. Harvey Opp officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Kathleen Ann Greimann, the daughter of Eugene and Doris (Barz) Greimann, was born on December 18, 1953 at Belmond. She was baptized and confirmed at the Peace Reformed Church south of Garner. Kathy graduated from the Klemme High School in 1972 and continued her education at Dordt College. After graduating from Dordt College in 1976, she moved to Oskaloosa and began her teaching career at the Oskaloosa School for Christian Instruction from 1976 to 1982. She then moved to Prinsburg, Minnesota and taught first grade at the Central Minnesota Christian School.

Kathy is remembered by many family and friends as a dedicated teacher who loved her students. She enjoyed scrapbooking and remembering her family and friends with special gifts. Kathy often spoke of the supportive and encouraging community in Prinsburg.

She was a member of the Peace Reformed Church in Garner and was active in serving First Christian Reformed Church in Prinsburg. She belonged to the Christian Educators Association.

Kathy is survived by her parents, Eugene and Doris Greimann of Garner; brother, Lowell (Jennie) Greimann of Ames; two sisters, Janette (Arthur) Hoffman of Owatonna, Minnesota and Janelle Bremer of Dyer, Indiana; nieces and nephews, Chad (Chris) Greimann, Blair (Angie) Greimann, Amy (Winston) Trotter, Michelle (Dale) Simon, Kelly (Brian) Schultz, Trent (Paula) Bremer and Janna (Darren) VanEssen; nineteen great-nieces and nephews; and many students, fellow teachers and friends in the Prinsburg community.

She was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Jane Renner Greimann in 2006.

Memorials may be directed to Central Minnesota Christian School in Prinsburg, Minnesota.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Stella Beiber, 1917-2008

December 10, 2008

Stella M. (Thiemann) Beiber, 91, a resident of the Northbrook Manor Care Center in Cedar Rapids, formerly of Marion, died on Sunday, November 23, 2008, at the care center following a brief illness.

A Service of Remembrance was held on Saturday, November 29, at the Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Marion, Iowa. Burial was in the Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion.

Stella was born on March 25, 1917, the daughter of George and Erma (Born) Thiemann on a farmstead in Klemme. She attended country schools in Ell Township. On October 12, 1947, she married B. Earle Beiber in Iowa City. He died on March 29, 1965. Stella owned and operated The Charm Beauty Shop for 47 years, retiring in 1992.

Stella was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, where she had been a Deacon, a 50 year member of the Eastern Star, and a past member of the American Business Woman's Association. She volunteered at The Helping Hand Store in Marion.

Survivors include nieces and nephews, Jerry (Doris) Murray of LeClaire, Janet Murray Blasingame of Cedar Rapids, Thomas (Kathy) Murray of Iowa City and Mary Jo (Brian) Hamrick of Springville; and a brother-in-law, Chet Renner of Clear Lake.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earle; her parents; and her sister, Elsie (Murray) Renner.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

LeRoy C. French, 1927-2008

December 3, 2008

LeRoy C. (Frenchie, Shorty) French, 81, of Clear Lake, died on Monday November 24, 2008, at the Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 29, at the United Methodist Church of Clear Lake, with the Rev. Diana Hoover officiating. Burial was in the Clear Lake Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W. The Ward-Van Slyke Funeral Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of the arrangements.

LeRoy French, the son of LeRoy and Rose Ada (Hall) French, was born on February 18, 1927 in Clear Lake, Iowa. LeRoy grew up with five older sisters, two of whom were married and had children before he was born. When he was 16 he moved to Garner to a farm with his sister, Ethelyn. This farm is now the home of his youngest daughter, Wendy.

LeRoy joined the Navy in April 1945 and served aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma City for 15 months. He returned to Clear Lake in 1946. He then drove semi truck for several years.

LeRoy married Lorraine B. Stalker on February 19, 1952, at the United Methodist Church, Rudd.

LeRoy owned the Clear Lake Monument Company. He farmed north of Clear Lake and worked for Cerro Gordo County in road maintenance for 36 years and 85 days retiring in 1992.

His love of farming filled many hours of his life working for Richardson, Luscombe, and Etchen & Dandy Land farms. After retiring he enjoyed being head driver for the Chevrolet Garage.

LeRoy is survived by his wife, Lorraine French of Clear Lake; one son, Terry (Kari) French of Kansas City, Missouri; four daughters, Nancy (Harvey) Kunzman of Clear Lake, Kathy (David) Olson of Eagle, Colorado, Vicky (Lynn) Holstad of Westcliffe, Colorado and Wendy (Daniel) Wood of Garner; daughter, Jackie Haag from a previous marriage; ten grandchildren, Joshua Olson of Eagle, Colorado, Michael (Lisa) French of Smithville, Missouri, Tyler (Staci) French of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, Carissa Holstad of Centennial, Colorado, Aaron Holstad of Westminster, Colorado, Joslyn Wood of Ames, Julie French of Warrensburg, Missouri, Austin Wood of Bloomington, Minnesota, Garrett Kunzman of Clear Lake and Madison French of Kansas City, Missouri; three step-grandchildren, Meghan (Steven) Simon and Marissa Ebeling of Kansas City, Missouri and Tina Kunzman of Mason City; sister, Florence (Pat) Edwards of Clear Lake.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Violet (Frank) Wreghitt, Ethelyn (Art) Werle, twins, Reba (Truman) Moe, Ruth Seidel; and grandson, David Olson.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Merlyn L. Borchers, 1927-2008

December 3, 2008

Merlyn L. Borchers, 81, of Garner, died on Tuesday, November 25, 2008, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, November 29, at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, with Rev. Frank Beaty officiating. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner, with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church.

Merlyn LuVerne Borchers, the son of John and Mabel (Hein) Borchers, was born on March 25, 1927, on a farm north of Garner. At an early age he moved with his family into Garner due to his father's illness. His father, John passed away in 1934 at the age of 34. Merlyn attended school in Garner and Bellevue, Nebraska. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country during WW II in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre as a seaman second class.

On June 1, 1956, he married Mary Lu Kobliska at the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner. Merlyn worked in Garner at Ace and Bill's, Hancock County Co-op Oil and drove transport for Bock Oil for ten years. Merlyn then worked as custodian for the Garner-Hayfield Community Schools for ten years before retiring from Iowa Mold Tooling in 1990 after 17 years of employment.

He was a member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, where he had served as a Deacon.

Merlyn is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Mary Lu of Garner; three children, Karen (David) Reich of Mason City, Marsha (Ronnie) McCammant of Marshalltown and John Borchers of Garner; four grandchildren, Jennifer Naughton, Jill (Brad) Bartlett, Tracy Reich and Kasey Reich; a sister, Betty (Lyle) Katter of Bend, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Earl Henschen; and sister, Marguerite (Gordon) Upmeyer.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008

Marlys Pearl (Hyde) Pueggel, 1923-2008

December 3, 2008

Marlys Pueggel, 85, of Clear Lake, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, November 26, 2008, at the Concord Care Center, Garner.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 1, at the St. John Lutheran Church, rural Garner, with the Rev. Carl Hedberg officiating. Interment was in the St. John’s Cemetery, rural Garner. The Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel of Clear Lake was in charge of the arrangements.

Marlys Pueggel was born on March 24, 1923, to Charles and Lena (Anderson) Hyde in Garner, Iowa. She attended the E11 Township School. Marlys lived and worked with her parents on the family farm north of Ventura until marrying Arnold Pueggel on December 17, 1950, at the Zion Reformed Church in Garner. The couple farmed North of Clear Lake until 1984 when they moved to Clear Lake.

Marlys loved to garden and maintained a large vegetable and flower garden on the farm. She provided seemingly tireless help and boundless enthusiasm for the differing jobs around the house and farm even for many years after moving to town. Marlys also loved to sew for her family, and as a member of the Church’s Quilting Society, made and donated hundreds of lap quilts to Lutheran World Relief.

She was an active member of St John Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School for 20 years, a dedicated member of the Ladies Aid Society and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She was also a member of the neighborhood Busy Bee Club.

Marlys is survived by her husband, Arnold Pueggel of Clear Lake; five children and their families, Linda (Mrs. James Lentz) of Green Valley, Arizona and their children, Kristi and Michael; David and his wife, Kathryn of Clear Lake and their children, Ellie, Will and wife, Stephanie, Wesley and Grant; Diane (Mrs. Craig Busch) of Ventura and their children, Stacie and husband, Larry Hieb, Callie and her husband, Luke Brager and Garrett; Cheryl (Mrs. Denny Whitehurst) of Clear Lake and son, Jake; JoAnn (Mrs. David Welsh) of Clear Lake and their children, Travis and Lisa; great-grandchildren, Owen Pueggel, Hailey and Zoey Hieb; brother, Robert Hyde and wife, Ruth; sister-in-law, Deany Hyde; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; step-father, Dover Kramer; and brother, Donald Hyde.
©The Garner Leader & Signal 2008